"
190
WANTED, A BRAKE ON
DEMOCRACY.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
was
(Daily Press, 18th March.) While we are discussing how the principles of representative Government may be in- troduced into China to the improvement of the internal administration of that country, circumstances are arising at home which have raised considerable doubt in many quarters as to the efficacy of democratic principles, when carried to extremes. That the people at large should be able to express their views as to the mode in which their country should he governed and ⚫hould al-o | be able to see that the government of the country is conducted in accordance with those views is, in the present day, an accepted axiom. The question, however, how this end is to be attained, is by no means so well settled. The most natural mode is by representative institutions; and in one form or another this system is accepted in almost all countries in Europe. To what extent however the popular voice should go in the government is the point upon which not only various countries but various schools of politicians difer very widely. In England and America there has always been the leaning towards giving the fullest power to the popular voice and up to the present time it cannot be denied that upon the whole this liberal treatment of the subject has worked satisfactorily. Of late years, however, an increasing num. ber of statesmen have begun to feel that it is just possible that popular principles are being carried too far. The tactics adopted at the last general election called attentionto this in a very rominent manner. Any cry that would catch the ear of the masses and secure votes considered, good enough as an electioneering plank"; and since the Liberal Govern ment have been in office they have shown themselves willing to listen to representa- tions from every faddist who could show that he had anything in the way of a following behind him. This state of thing, had, however, be one apparent long before the election. It was commented upon by HAMILTON FIFE in an article upon The lost Art of Government which appeared in the Fortnightly, in terms which have much significance at the present tine. He noticed the fallacy of the idea that Democracy must prove to be an infallible system. Democracy and Aristocracy are, as systems, equally defective. Aristocracy would be all very well if it provided any machinery for getting the best men to the top. Since it has omitted to do that it resolves itself into an excuse for government in the interests of one or two classes at the expense of the rest. Democracy cannot succeed
better if its princi les are strictly observed, for these assume that the persons elected to carry on the business of the State are merely de egntes chosen to do the bidding of the electors, who are seldom of the same mind for more than a few days at a time." He goes on to ob- meet the serve that Democracy fails to great need of human nature in the mass- that of a lender. Human nature will not follow a lender unless it is convinced that he is in some way raised above it, whether by birth, brains, or bullion.' The allitera tion is somewhat fanciful, but there can be little question that it fairly sets forth three things which go farthest in placing men in prominent position not only with the masses but with people generally. The problem to be solved is to get leaders who anve the necessary brains and the power of making the masses follow them-which latter will be best attained by their being
品看
any
|
[March 29, 1907. men who have made up their minds as going to work slowly and warily in to the course which ought to be followed respect to so radical a measure.
The way who are determined to follow that course to it must be prepared beforeband by so long as they are permitted, and who reducing the opportunities for extortion would rather be turned ont than follow | and injustice which exist at present and some other course for the purpose of there will then and only then be some sticking in
Let such men arrive | hope that the introduction of popular to make a union between the principles of institutions will be possible. A too sudden emocracy and Aristocracy, and we may change in this direction might leave yet accomplish safely the heavy task that the administration as corrupt ns it lies before us, of re-shaping all our in- was before and with less hope than ever stitutions to fit the alt red features of a of ultimate reform. new age."
1
|
SHANGHAI'S TAXATION.
(Daily Press, 19th March.)
#h
This is in effect the task which lies before China at the present time-i and the difficulties which have to be met are precisely those which are pointed out As a curious instane› ‹f how difficalt it is as existing at home, notwithstanding that without being intimat-ly acquainted with there, representative institutions exist to
all the surrounding circumstances of a the fullest extent. The Chinese who are cause, to draw just conclusions on
the often right in abstract principles, however incidence of taxation, we may notice Mr. much they may fail in their application. J. C. E. Dorotas's remarks as to the low hold that where the people go wrong, there taxation of Shanghai. Lafortunately, owing is some fault also with the officials. This
to various circumstances, the “xtreme north- is only one way of asserting the fact that. westerly corner of the Foreign Settlement for a nation to be properly governed, bad,
fir
#x the foreign element the first essential is to have men who not
is concerned, been undoubtedly under- only possess the genius of governing, but policed, au! for some time on the extreme are able to induce the masses to follow outskirts, in a district closely abutting on thein and to co-operate with them. Taking a thickly inhabited native district, only into consideration there is room | one foreign stable had been available to doubt whether too much may not be, for night duty. Looking at the affair after expected from the introduction of represen- ¦ its fatal result on Monday tative institutions in a country whie has so long been accustomed to an autocratic form of governments. In discussing this question as regards India, a well-informed wr ter in the Spectator observes that
repre- entative deumcraes, suitable and borrow
this
wich
to
who h alone large free conmungies, has enabled domomacy 10
the many of
advantages of without I sing its
essential
morning the 11th instant, there was no justification for undermanning this district, as the whole of the north rn boundary of the Settlement, since the lat. Taotai YOAN commenced his compaign against the Foreign Concession, has become a sanctuary for all manner of native rowdies; and this position of affairs is well known to the Municipal Council. But having said so much, it is orly fair to remember that the whole affair was the
• Whenever i been
work of a few minutes, and had evidently carefully thought out beforehand so as to take by surprise even a more highly organised holy of Police than are as ret available in the Settlements at Shanghai. We have before al'uded to the peculiar relations exiting between the native officials and the well-organised body of Salt Smugglers who infest this stretch of country, and whose work gos ou night after night without any available check
oligarchy characteristic of popular sanction, las never appealed to the Asiatic mind. the East has desired to apply the detao- cratic principle on its social side-and in a certaia sense the East has always desired that it has obtained its equality and fraternity through a desp tism like that of the Moguls, of the Emperors of China, or of the Sulians of Turkey -a despotism which leaves only one head emerging about the level of the subjected crowd.` wholly true as regards China, but at the ing taken by the heal officials to put same time it indicates approximately the
it down. It is largely owing to this posi difficulty that has to be faced in changing tion of affairs that the services of the a system of government in theory entirely Force have been overtasked, and that autocratic, though in practice in many large additions to its s rength have had respects much more democratic thin il to be mate, and more will be required commonly believed, to
This is not
14
ros-
one in which the in the near future.
The Municipal Council la ter principle will be held to predominate. į
would gladly take a portion of the to be | For any change in this direct on
ponsibility of preserving order over these effectual it is essential in China as in etheristricts on its own shoulders, but in the places that there should be statesmen whose present con litiu of affairs this is im sole object is to benefit their country and
the native Яuthorities are posible, for who possess the necessary position and neither content to permit the Council ability to enable them to obtain the full to discharge their duties for them, nor co-operation of the people at large in their efforts in this direction. The question is whether such men can be found in Chian, or, rather whether the existing system ona be 'so modified as to bring them to the front. Without some change in the tone and as. pirations of the governing classes, the introduction of representative institutions would do comparatively little good. The corruption and renality which notoriously be done pervade the tficid classes must away with or least greath checked. reretur: —Mr.Douglas assures the commu- Experience unfortunately
nity that they ought, instead of trying to extreme
economise over their police expenditure, foul exceedingly grateful that they are not, as certain Communities in England, taxei almost to the full measure of their capacity. The General Kate in Shanghai, be points out, amounts to but two shillings in the
nt
on the other hand will they take any steps themselves t› preserve order. !
The conse- that the condition of these quence fringing lealities is yearly growing worse, and life and
property becoming more unsafe. It is not, however, with the view of commenting on comings or otherwise of the municipai control, as of drawing attention to certain of Mr. Dovolan's remarks that we proposs to make some
First, as comments.
that for ce democratic institutions are ug
gross corruption. A
incompatible with sud.eu change to such a system would not necessarily put an end to the main evil connected with Chinese internal administre tion. Chius is, therefore, not wrong in
So much short.
to